Today's News

The Rev. Dr. Helen Beasley of the Episcopal/Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Galax recently received her Doctor of Ministry degree from the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria.
With five years of difficult class work behind her, Beasley said she is excited to utilize what she learned to usher in a new level of spiritual healing within her church.
Beasley was one of 17 graduates in this summer’s commencement ceremony, the highest number of students to graduate from the program at one time, according to the seminary’s newsletter.

HILLSVILLE — Alleged ongoing harassment led to charges of race-related assault being placed against three Carroll County men after an Aug. 30 incident, according to Sheriff J.B. Gardner.
Deputies first became aware of a disturbance at approximately 11 p.m., when a Training Center Road resident called 911 and spoke to sheriff’s office dispatcher Neil Anderson, a Carroll Sheriff’s Office news release says.

Radar blues
I’m calling about “hiding in the bushes.” Back in the 1950s and ‘60s, they used to have a record out that was called “Radar Blues for the Truckers.” It said they were sitting back in the trees in twos or threes waiting for the truckers to come to give them a ticket. Now, they are hiding in the bushes in twos and threes waiting for the lead foots to come on by in the 25 and 35 mph zone in Galax so they can give them a ticket. So, we will all just have to be satisfied.

It wasn’t a terribly long time ago when the senior citizens of our community were held in the highest regard.
But in today’s world, it seems like their place in society has steadily fallen to an alarmingly low priority when it comes to government funding. The cuts to District Three’s programs for the aging are a clear example.
Beginning in October, the organization will see a $100,000 drop in support for these programs, making this the third year in a row where it has had to cut corners in these same areas.

Galax citizens are working together to express their frustrations over the recent change in speed limits throughout the city.
Posts about an online petition have been circling on social media. The petition asks the city to reverse the speed limit changes on portions of U.S. 58 that were recently lowered to 35 mph from 45 mph. Other streets in the city, like West Stuart Drive, were lowered from 35 mph to 25 mph.
The petition was created last Wednesday, and by Friday afternoon it had already reached 156 signatures.

INDEPENDENCE — Members of the recently established River North Ministry Council (RNMC) has made it their mission to install a prison chaplain at River North Correctional Facility by the day the first inmate arrives, but the biggest challenge facing the group is finding individuals and groups to pledge funding for the position.
RNMC, including pastors and residents of the Twin Counties and surrounding areas, met Aug. 22 at Independence First United Methodist Church to elect an executive council and discuss other new developments.

The Galax Police Department is aiming to remind the public that its new urban archery season will begin Sept. 7.
This action was voted on by Galax City Council earlier this year, in order to help control the overpopulation of deer in the area.
The department’s public notice, issued last week, touched on important rules for the community to keep in mind when the season begins:
• Deer hunting and/or the discharge of archery equipment on city property are prohibited.